ATLANTA (February 7, 2001) - Several leading businesses based in the Northwestern United States will contribute substantial financial assistance to CARE's earthquake recovery efforts in El Salvador and India. The funds from Starbucks Coffee Company, The Schwab Foundation, Microsoft Corporation and Digital Partners will support long-term recovery programs in the most devastated areas of each country.
"The contributions from these organizations move us towards our stated fundraising goals - $30 million for India and $2.5 million for El Salvador," says Marshall Burke, CARE's vice president for Private Support. "The support CARE receives from American businesses, individuals and foundations is crucial to rebuilding the lives of people affected by these earthquakes."

Starbucks Coffee Company has pledged $25,000 for recovery programs in India and $50,000 for recovery programs in El Salvador. CARE works with Starbucks on several projects that improve the lives of people in coffee producing countries. "When we saw people's lives so dramatically impacted by devastating earthquakes in India and in El Salvador, we contacted our friends at CARE," says Dave Olsen, Starbucks, Starbucks senior vice president for corporate social responsibility. "We know CARE will best use our financial contributions to relieve suffering and secure necessary resources for survivors."

The Charles Schwab Corporation Foundation also will contribute funds through its Direct Grants and Employee Matching Gifts programs to aid in the recovery efforts in El Salvador and in India. "Our previous work with CARE has taught us the importance of helping countries build resources so that they are better equipped to respond to future crises," says Jim Losi, president of Charles Schwab's Community Investor Services enterprise, which includes The Charles Schwab Corporation Foundation. "We hope that investing in the recovery efforts of these communities will provide a basis for long-lasting solutions to the problems that cause poverty."

The ability to go beyond an emergency response was an important reason Microsoft decided to contribute $75,000 to CARE's recovery efforts in India. CARE will receive additional funds through individual employee donations, which are matched dollar-for-dollar by Microsoft. "It will be a long, costly process to rebuild lives," says Bruce Brooks, director of Microsoft Community Affairs. "We hope Microsoft's participation and the commitment of our employees spurs other business leaders to support long-term recovery programs." Microsoft has sales and marketing offices in India.

Digital Partners, a Seattle-based non-profit, and CARE have created a challenge fund, which totaled $133,000, to support India earthquake efforts and encourage others to contribute. "We are proud to partner with CARE, given their long, successful history in India and rapid mobilization of emergency response efforts," says Akhtar Badshah, executive director of Digital Partners.

Immediately following the earthquake in El Salvador, CARE provided essential food, water and temporary shelter materials to thousands of families. In Kutch District of India, CARE set up six temporary clinics to aid nearly 100,000 injured survivors, and continues to distribute food and emergency kits to tens of thousands of families. Once the immediate needs of survivors have been met, CARE will work closely with local communities and partners to rebuild primary schools, health services and water and sanitation systems.

To help earthquake survivors in El Salvador and India, CARE is accepting monetary donations via mail, telephone and online:

CARE
151 Ellis St., NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
1-800-521-CARE
www.care.org

CARE is one of the world's largest private relief and development organizations, working in more than 60 developing countries to overcome the complex problem of poverty. CARE has worked in India since 1950 and in El Salvador since 1956 and supports self-help development projects in water and sanitation, education, primary health care, agriculture and community organization. This experience, combined with the more than 700 staff already present in both countries, leaves CARE well-positioned to both provide emergency relief and longer term rehabilitation programs.